Mayor hopeful amid Onesteel jobs uncertainty

Whyalla Mayor Jim Pollock says a commitment by Onesteel to its local mining operations will be an important buffer if there are any job losses at its steelworks.

The company says some steelworks jobs will go, but it has reaffirmed a commitment to expand the Whyalla port as part of its expanding mining operations on Eyre Peninsula.

Mr Pollock says that will be a key part of Whyalla's future.

"To have the mining as a fallback at the Onesteel operation is a huge benefit to not only to the employees of Onesteel but also to the city in general, in particular the retail industry, you know it's going to be a huge boost for the whole city," he said.

"[It] will create a number of new jobs, something like 50 full-time jobs, once the harbour is upgraded, so it's a welcome sign for the city, it's a welcome sign for employees of Onesteel and of course it's a welcome sign for Onesteel as a company."

"What I'm saying to Onesteel is that we are standing alongside you, the South Australian public puts a high value on the ores that we process in this state and the ores that we export," he said.

"We're saying to Onesteel if you use that ore in your mill we won't charge you a royalty because it creates South Australian jobs, if those South Australian jobs are removed those subsidies are removed."